Wheelbarrow



Sept 5, 1931- G. I. CHITTENDEN WHEELBARROW Filed March 26, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 15, 1931- s. CHITTENDEN 1,323,815

WHEELBARROW Filed March 26, 1930 a Sheets-Sheet 2 "I HIIIIIIII Sept. 15, 1931. G. I. CHITTENDEN 1,823,816

WHEELBARROW Filed March 26, 1930 3 SheetsSheet 5 1 arra ggo t is therefore an object of this invention In the drawings illustrating my invention Uhllllllilfi ATENT FFEOE GEORGE I. CHITTENDEN, 0F LAKEWOOD, OHIO WHEELBARBOW Application filed March 26, 1930. Serial No. 438,971.

This intention re t generally to collapsprovide a wheelbarrow having a novel arible or folding structure, and more particurangement of folding end and side boards. larlv to an improved form of folding wheel- A further q i of thls 11117911111011 13 t0 baniow provide a folding wheelbarrow having novel The irregular shape and peculiar arrangea for l t the handles 1n the load mentof the parts. of wheelbarrows are charat t it 1 LE 2' M Q 1 1 T f n f lino, Com -ne inven-tlon may be further briefly sum- L W 0 1 marized as conslstm in certain novel comt-i bio-n for these devices. and accordingly y, f A; A! H 1 I I I 7 b nations and arrangements 0 parts heielnf-.-.o.ag uheebaiious which aaie .eie after descnbed and partlcularly Set out m tofore been proposed have generally been the appended Clainm constructed with the parts thereof arranged I the accomnanving h t f drawings, to permit the wheel to be dismounted when Fi 1 i a id l ti l i h i 1e device is to be folded. A. foldi g COII- the folding wheelbarrow of my invention in struction which necessitates mounting and th bl d diti dismounting the wheel is an unsatisfactory Fig, 2 i a top plan view of my wheelbar- L rrangement because these operations require row i th f ld d diti ime. he exercise of skill, and the use of tools. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device *olc in o: wheelbarrow structures have also i th f ld d diti eon proposed with complicated arrange- Fi 4 i a id l ti l i f th 7 ments of hooks. braces or sliding parts ardevice as shown in Fig. 3. ranged to hold the legs and handles in their Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken load carrying positions, and to permit the on line 55 of Fig. 3. foldingof tuese members. These complex Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken gements are likewise undesirable beon line 66 of Fig. 3. cause of the increased manufacturing cost, Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the deand ecau e of the difficulty in setting up or vice with the wheel removed, and folding the device. and furthermore, in use Fig. 8 is a detached detail view of the front are unsatisfactory because they lack rigidity. board.

to provide an improved form of folding I have shown a wheelbarrow composed of wheelbarrow having no loose parts, and parts permanently connected together and so which can he quickly and easily set up or comconstructed and arranged as to permit the pactly folded without the need of tools. device to be compactly folded for storage or Another object of this invention is to proshipment. This wheelbarrow comprises a vide a folding wheelbarrow having novel body structure 10 adapted to be supported at whee mounting means whereby the wheel one end by the wheel 11 and at its opposite may be moved Irom a load carrying position end by means of the legs 12 and handles 13. to a folded posi ion without being discon- The body structure may be of any desirable ca nested; and in which locking means is proshape or form but, as herein illustrated, this vided for releasably retaining the wheel in structure comprises a box 14: to which longithe load carrying position; and in which tudinally extending frame members 15 are means is provided for transmitting the load secured. The box is constructed with a subf om the body structure to the wheel mountstantially pan-shaped bottom 16 to which the L3 ing moans independently of said locking end board 17 and the side boards 18 are means. hinged. At their forward ends the side i-rnother object of this invention is to proboards are provided with inwardly projectvide wheelbarrow having an improved ing extensions 19 which form abutments term to leg construction. against which the end board 17 is adapted to so Still another object of this invention is to rest. For retaining the end and side boards 10% 31 secured on the shaft.

in uprightor assembled relation, I provide these members with suitable cooperating locking means. This locking means, as herein illustrated, may comprise hooklike projections located near the upper edge and adjacent the ends of the front board 17 for releasable engagement in looking recesses 21 provided adjacent the tops of the abutments 19. To provide for movement of the end board relative to the abutments so that the projections 20 may be brought into cooperating relation with the recesses, I provide a floating pin 22 at the hinge connection between the lower edge of this board and the bottom 16. The ends of this hinge pin project laterally through slots 23 provided at the edges of the bottom so that the end board will have a limited up and down movement relative to the abutments, but of suficient extent to permit the lugs 20 to be moved into and disengaged from the locking recesses of the abutments.

As shown in Fig. 2, the end and side boards can be swung inwardly to folded positions substantially parallel with the bottom of the box. In moving the boards to their folded positions, the end board is folded inwardly first, after which the side boards are folded inwardly over the end board. A latch 24 is pivoted on the end board and is so located on this member that it will be exposed between the edges of the side boards when the latter have been folded over-the end board. When turned upon its pivot, this latch will engage the side boards and will retain all of the boards in their folded positions.

The wheel. 11, which I have provided for supporting one end of the body structure, is mounted in a wheel fork 25 arranged to extend forwardly of the box to provide clearance for the wheel. This fork is constructed with a shaft portion 26 which is rotatably mounted in the tubular member 27. This tubular member is provided at one end with oppositely extending integral arms 28 which are pivoted to the frame members 15, and at its opposite, or free end, with opposed recesses in which the locking pin 29, carried by the wheel fork, engages. For yieldingly holding the pin 29 in engagement with the recesses in the tubular member I provide a coiled spring 30 which surrounds the shaft 26 and is compressed between the pivoted end portion of the tubular member and the nut The pivotal connection of the tubular member with the frame members of the body structure permit the wheel moiniting'to be swung from its forward lead-carrying position to a rearwardlv extending folded position adjacent the bottom of the box, while the rotatable mounting of the wheel fork in the pivoted tubular member, permits the wheel to be turned from its load-carrying position with its plane substantially vertical, to a position with its plane horizontal or substantially parallel with the bottom of the box. The pin 29 engaging in the recesses of the tubular member, retains the wheel in the horizontal plane so that it will lie close to the bottom of the box while in the folded position.

When the wheel and the tubular member 27 are in the forwardly extending load-carrying position, this tubular member is received in the space provided between end portions of the frame members 15. These end portions are arranged to form a retaining means for holding the tubular member in axial alignment with the body of the wheelbarrow. In forming this retaining means angularly disposed flange portions of the frame members are cut for a portion of their length and are bent to provide the spaced abutments 32 between which the tubular member 27 is received. For retaining the wheel mounting means in its forwardly extending position, I provide locking recesses 33, in the ends of these abutments, in which the pin 29 releasably engages. It will be noted that the inner end portions of these locking recesses are angularly disposed upwardly with respect to their outer end portions so that the locking pin 29, which engages therein, will prevent movement of the wheel fork axially of the body structure. IVith this arrangement the weight of the body structure retains the pin 29 in engagement with the locking recesses so that the wheelbarrow can be safely moved in the backward direction without danger of releasing the wheel from the locked position. When the wheel and wheel mounting means is in this forwardly extending load-carrying position, the tubular member 27 bears against the abutment 34 formed by the meeting end portions of the frame members 15. The engagement of the tubular member with this abutment provides for the transfer of the load to the wheel mounting means independently of the locking pin 29.

At a suitable intermediate location on the body structure, I provide appropriate mounting means, such as the clips 35, to which the legs 12 are pivotally attached. In constructing these legs I prefer to use material having angularly disposed webs or flanges such as angle iron stock, so that by cutting out one of these flanges for a portion of the length of the leg, the remaining flange provides a flat portion which can be conveniently attached to the clip 35, and the cut-out flange provides the laterally extending shoulder portion 37. This shoulder portion engages under the body structure when the legs are in the load-supporting position so that the load is transmitted to the legs substantially independently of their pivotal connection with the clips 35. The legs are extended above their pivot points to provide end portions 38 which are adapted to engage under the lugs 39 secured to the side boards for retaining theseboards in an upright position. Near their lower ends the legs are preferably connected together by means of a horizontally extending brace 40. This brace is provided with bends t1 spaced apart a distance correspond ing with the spacing of the frame members 15 so that when the legs are swung upon their pivots to a folded position adjacent the bony structure, these bends will receive the frame members and permit the legs to lie close to the bottom of the box.

The handles 13, which I provide for supporting the rear end of the wheelbarrow, are pivotally connected to the body structure at a location rearwardly of the pivotal connection for the legs. The pivotal connection permits the handles to be swung from the rearwardly extending lead carrying position shown in l, to a folded position close to the bottom of the box as shown in Figs. 3 and i. When in the load carrying position, the inner ends of the handles lie close to the depending webs of the frame members to which they are pivoted, and the handles are held against lateral movement in one direction by these webs. For retaining the handles against lateral movement in the opposite direction, 1 provide lugs 42 formed by bending portions of the frame members downwardly on the sides of the handles opposite the web to which they are pivoted. For retaining the ban dies in their load-carrying position between the depending portions of the frame members,-l provide laterally movable latch pins.

43 which extend under the handles to prevent them from dropping downwardly away from the bottom of the box.

For actuating the movable latch pins 43 simultaneously, I provide a pivoted actuating member 44 which, as shown in Fig. 6, is located substantially on the longitudinal axis of the body structure. The inner ends of the latch pins are eccentrically pivoted to the actuating m mber so that rotation of this member retracts or extends the latch pins, as may be desired. The lower end of this actuating member is constructed in the form of a hook 4a) which engages a spoke of the wheel 11 for retaining the wheel in the folded position. This member thus serves as a means for actuating the latch pins 43, and also as a latch means for retaining the wheel in folded position.

\Vhile I have shown the frame members 15 as being continuous, it may be desirable to make the bottom 16 sufficiently rigid to permit 'ntermediate portions of these frame members to be cut out so as to reduce the weight of the structure.

It will now be readily seen that l have provided a folding wheelbarrow construction in which all of the parts are permanently secured together for movement to their respective positions without being disconnected from each other. wheel tire all of the par are made of metal so as to provide a strong and durable construction. The arrangement of parts which I have provided permits the device to be quickly and easily reduced to a compactly folded condition for storage or shipment, or to an assembled or set up condition to form a rigid and serviceable wheelbarrow. The operations of folding and assembling the device do not require tools of any kind, and furthermore require only ordinary skill and but slight exertion.

lVhile I have shown and described the device of my invention in a detailed manner, it should be understood however that I do not intend to limit myself to these precise details of construction, but regard my in- ;*ention including such changes and mod ifications as do not involve a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

v1. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body structure, oppositely curved metal frame elements secured to the bottom of said body with their forward end portions spaced relatively close together, handles for supporting one end of said body structure, a wheel for supporting the other end of said body structure, and movable wheel mounting means whereby said wneel may be swung fr a load carrying position to a folded position adjacent the bottom of the body structure, said mounting means including a mem ber pivoted to said forward end portions, and a wheel fork rotatable relative to said member.

2. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body, handles for supporting one end of said body, a wheel for supporting the other end of said body, and wheel mounting means including a tubular member extending longitudinally of said body and having a locking recess in its forwardly extending end, wheel fork rotatable in said tubular member whereby said wheel may be moved from a load carrying position to a folded position, means on said fork engageable with a locking recess provided on said body for holding sa'd wheel in the load carrying position and engageable with the locking recess of said tubular member for holding said wheel in the folded position, and spring means for urging said means into selective engagement with said locking recesses.

In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body, handles for supporting one end of said body, a wheel for supporting the other end of said body, and wheel mounting m ans ineludli a tubular member extending longitudinally of said body and having a locking recess in its forwardly extending end,

With the exception of the a wheel fork rotatable in said tubular mem ber whereby said wheel may be moved from a load carrying position to a folded position, and means on said fork engageable with a locking recess provided on said body for holding said wheel in the load carrying position and engageable with the locking recess of said tubular member for holding said wheel in the folded position.

4-. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body structure, handles for supporting one end of said body structure, a wheel for supporting the other end of said body structure, movable mounting means whereby said wheel may be selectively positioned with respect to said body structure,

cooperating locking means provided on said body structure and on said mounting means for retaining the wheel in the load carrying position, and an abutment on said body structure engageable with said mounting means whereby the load is transmitted to said wheel independently of said locking means.

5. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body, members secured to the bottom of said body, handles pivoted to said members for movement from a load carrying position to a folded position, means for preventing lateral movement of the handles while the same are in the load carrying position, said means comprising portions of said members depending on opposite sides of said handles, and latch mechanism for retaining said handles in the load carrying position.

6. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body structure, handles pivoted on said body for movement from a load carrying position to a folded position, laterally movable locking pins engaging said handles intermediate their pivots and their free ends for retaining said handles in the load carrying position, and means for simultaneously actuating said locking pins.

7. In a folding wheelbarrow the combi nation of body structure, a wheel support ingly connected to said body structure for movement from a load carrying position to a folded position, handles pivoted on said body structure for movement from a load carrying position to a foldedposition, locking means for retaining said handles in the load carrying position, and means for actuating said locking means, said actuating means also serving as a latch for retaining said w ieel in the folded position.

8. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body structure having a bottom portion, an end board hinged to said bottom portion, side boards hinged to said bottom portion, inwardly extending forwardly inclined abutment means at the forward ends of said side boards adapted to be engaged by said end board, and locking elements carried by said end board and engageable with said side boards for retaining all of the boards in their upright position.

9. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body structure having a bottom portion, side boards hinged to said bottom portion and having inwardly extending abutment means at their forward ends, said abutment means being provided with looking recesses, and an end board having locking means thereon engageable in said recesses for holding said end board against said abutment means.

10. In a folding wheelbarrow the combination of a body structure having a bottom portion, side boards hinged to said bottom portion and having inwardly extending abutment means at their forward ends, an end board adapted to bear against said abutment means, said end board and said abutment means being provided with cooperating locking means, and a floating hinge connection between said bottom portion and said end board whereby the latter may be moved for engaging and disengaging said cooperating locking means.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

GEORGE I. GHITTENDEN. 

